Amanda could barely stand. She had seen her reflection in the water’s surface, knew how little of her remained.
She took the splash bomb in shaking hands, set to prime it for detonation.
Do not do this, the voice within her implored. Greater rewards await.
“My…last…reward, you mean,” she hissed back.
The casing was pried away, exposing the glass rods filled with silver nitrate, and the small timed charge that would break it open. She knew this was the source of the Lake’s power, pinpointed as the throne itself, bathed in slow swirling beams of concentrated moonlight. All she had to do was set it…
I WILL NOT ALLOW THIS!
Amanda’s mind exploded in a mushroom cloud of memories and emotions. She saw her own life, slowly superceded by Caitlin in her position, like a superimposed photo. Amanda was being mentally erased.
“No…don’t…destroy…me…”
Then you must not destroy us. Let me do what must be done, and you shall live on, as part of me.
The crusader felt her will ooze away. She slumped beneath the mental torrent, her tongue hanging from her mouth like a docile puppy.
“I…I…tell me…what…to do…”
Swiftfang smiled, deep within herself.